Covid LIVE: Record 920 deaths in Maharashtra in a day; 346 in Karnataka

Coronavirus live updates | Statewise list of fresh Covid-19 cases: Maharashtra records 51,880 cases, followed by Karnataka (44,631), UP (25858), Tamil Nadu (21,228). Stay tuned for corona-related news

8:50 PM

Several districts are seeing a decline in COVID cases, says Maharashtra CM

"Central govt's scientific body has warned about 3rd wave of COVID. We're preparing for that since last month. Several districts are seeing a decline in COVID cases while some districts are seeing an increase in cases.We're keeping a close tab on it," said Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray

 

8:41 PM

'Cases are coming down but can't lower our guard,' says Uddhav

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said that the Covid 19 positive cases are coming down in the state, but we cannot yet lower our guard. There is also warning of third wave, we should be also prepared for it, he said. He said daily production of oxygen is 1200 metric tonne in the state while demand is 1500 MT. "We have asked central to provide 300 MT more oxygen," he said. 

8:17 PM

920 deaths and 57,640 new cases in Maharashtra in 24 hrs

7:39 PM

EC defers bypolls to 3 LS and 8 Assembly seats

7:33 PM

Record 50,112 new cases in Karnataka in 24 hours

7:24 PM

Andhra sees over 22,000 new cases in a day

7:10 PM

Uddhav to address Maharashtra at 8:30 pm

6:19 PM

Kerala sees nearly 42,000 new cases in a day

On Wednesday, Kerala reports highest single-day rise of 41,953 new Covid-19 cases and 58 deaths. Active cases stand at 3,75,658  in the state, 23,106 recovered. Total 13,62,363 patients recovered so far, while 5,565 deaths have been reported till now, said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

5:34 PM

Covid is not spreading through animals, says V K Paul

"Covid is not spreading through animals, it's human to human transmission," says Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog.

4:53 PM

We should prepare for new waves, says govt official

4:24 PM

12 states/UTs have more than 100,000 active cases, says govt

At a press briefing on Wednesday, the union health ministry said 12 states/UTs have over 100,000 active Covid cases. 24 states/UTs showing more than 15% positivity rate, said joint secretary Lav Aggarwal. Maharashtra's positivity rate is 24%.

11 districts in Maharashtra showing continuous decline in #COVID cases since last 14 days

- JS, @MoHFW_INDIA

Live Now https://t.co/Y5o0YwhUF4 pic.twitter.com/EgrqZhPpdk

— PIB in Maharashtra

4:02 PM

Restrictions announced by Mamata today

From May 7, no air passenger will be allowed in Bengal without RT-PCR negative report not older than 72 hours. Starting Thursday, banks in Bengal will be operational between 10 am and 2 pm. Passengers entering Bengal via long-distance trains, inter-state buses must carry RT-PCR negative report. Offices in Bengal should operate with 50 per cent workforce

3:34 PM

Union Minister of Chemicals reviews availability of drugs for Covid treatment

Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilisers D V Sadananda Gowda chaired a meeting to review availability of drugs for covid treatment and other essential drugs. Increased capacity of Remedesvir will augment the domestic availability of injection. 1.65 mn vials of Remdesivir allocated between May 3 and May 9, said Gowda.

2:59 PM

SC stays Delhi HC's order

2:37 PM

RT-PCR negative report necessary for passengers arriving at airports from May 7, says Mamata

2:21 PM

SC says pandemic in Delhi at very critical stage

1:58 PM

Covid scare at G7 meeting after Indian delegates test positive

India's entire delegation to the Group of Seven summit in London is self-isolating after two of its members tested positive for COVID-19, the British government said on Wednesday, according to Reuters.

 

"Two delegates tested positive so the entire delegation is now self isolating," a British official said.

 

"The meeting had been enabled by a strict set of COVID protocols, including daily testing of all delegates," the British official said.

1:44 PM

Indian Navy's INS Airavat on its way with 3650 oxygen cylinders: High Commission of India in Singapore

1:29 PM

UN General Assembly President postpones India trip due to Covid-19

President of the UN General Assembly Volkan Bozkir's planned visit to India later this month has been postponed due to an unexpected situation relating to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

 

Bozkir on Tuesday told reporters that he will be travelling to Bangladesh and Pakistan later this month on the invitation of the respective governments and will also be visiting Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh where he will meet with Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.

 

Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar's military crackdown, often considered as "ethnic cleansing" by many rights groups. Read on...

1:26 PM

Delhi records 338 deaths; positivity rate below 30%: Health department

The national capital recorded 338 Covid-19 deaths and 19,953 cases in a day with a positivity rate of 26.73 percent, according to the health bulletin issued by the Delhi health department on Wednesday morning.

 

The department could not release the document, which contains important figures reflecting the coronavirus situation in the city, on Tuesday night, and said, we are also looking into the reasons why it was delayed.

 

This is the second time on the trot that the number of cases remained below 20,000. Read on...

1:22 PM

Centre asks states and UTs to conduct detailed review of hospitals and nursing homes to prevent fire incidents

Home Ministry asks states and UTs to conduct detailed review of hospitals and nursing homes to prevent fire incidents: Spokesperson

1:19 PM

'RBI in battle mode': Full text of Shaktikanta Das's speech on May 5

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will give banks Rs 50,000 crore to enable them to lend further for "healthcare needs" in the Covid-19 crisis, said governor Shaktikanta Das on Wednesday.

 

“India has mounted a valiant defence against Covid-19. The RBI will continue to monitor the emerging situation and deploy all instruments at its command," said Das at an unscheduled briefing where he listed measures the central bank will take to support the economy during a second wave of infections. Read on...

1:17 PM

UN General Assembly President postpones India trip due to Covid-19

President of the UN General Assembly Volkan Bozkir's planned visit to India later this month has been postponed due to an unexpected situation relating to the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

 

Bozkir on Tuesday told reporters that he will be travelling to Bangladesh and Pakistan later this month on the invitation of the respective governments and will also be visiting Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh where he will meet with Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.

 

Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar's military crackdown, often considered as "ethnic cleansing" by many rights groups. Read on...

1:16 PM

Coronavirus jabs for kids in 2-11 age group: Pfizer to seek approval in September

Pharmaceutical major Pfizer will likely seek the US Food and Drug Administration's emergency authorisation to administer its coronavirus vaccine among children between the ages of 2 and 11 in September, the media reported.

 

By early next week, the company is expected to get FDA approval for emergency use of its vaccine in children 12 to 15 years old.

 

It is planning to apply for full approval of the vaccine for use in people from ages 16 to 85, this month, The New York Times reported. The pharma major will also have clinical trial data on the safety of its vaccine in pregnant women by early August. Read on...

1:15 PM

Over 9.4 mn Covid-19 vaccine doses still available with states: Centre

More than 944,700 Covid-19 vaccine dosesare still available with the states and UTs which will receive over36 lakhfresh doses in the next three days, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

 

The Government of India has so far provided nearly 17.02 crore vaccine doses (17,02,42,410) to states and UTs free of cost. Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 16,07,94,796 doses, according to data available at 8 am.

 

"More than 94.47 lakh Covid vaccine doses (94,47,614) are still available with the states and UTs to be administered. Read on...

12:29 PM

SC to hear Centre's plea against Delhi high court order

SC agrees to consider Centre's plea over Delhi HC contempt notice, direction to officials to be present in court over lack of oxygen supply

12:19 PM

Coronavirus updates: Uttar Pradesh curfew extended till May 10

Coronavirus updates: Uttar Pradesh curfew extended till May 10

12:17 PM

Telangana reported 6,361 new Covid cases, 8,126 recoveries and 51 deaths

Total cases: 4,69,722

Total recoveries: 3,89,491

Active cases: 77,704

Death toll: 2,527

12:16 PM

Resources for ‘creating health infrastructure for Covid care’ eligible for CSR activities

Ministry of Corporate Affairs clarifies that spending of CSR funds directly or through pooling of resources for ‘creating health infrastructure for Covid care are eligible CSR activities.

12:13 PM

Indian Navy's INS Airavat on its way with 3,650 oxygen cylinders: High Commission of India in Singapore